Interlocking

This weekend I found myself hooked to youtube (instead of reading for my exams (^_^)). I discovered Ms Island Spice. She has some great videos on styling locks and great advice. What I particularly interesting was the one on Interlocking.

If you can remember I had written about Crotcheting sometime ago. Interlocking is more or less the same concept only that with interlocking you don't have a crotchet, some locticians use a specialized hook for the same but if you're doing it at home right before your next retwist as you watch tv, just use your fingers.

Interlocking is very helpful especially for those locks that take too long to lock. You know the locks that usually distangle until you're left with hair at the root and a dangling lock? Those need interlocking. My loctician usually does the same but for him, he braids the root then passes the lock through the bottom of the "braid". With time the braid comes out and the hair locks without the lock falling off. I always thought that was a complex process that only a professional could do, or atleast someone who can see the top of my head. After the video I sat down and interlocked a couple of locks and I feel like I just visited a professional loctician.

Something to remember; if you plan to comb out your locks in the future, interlocking makes it next to impossible because it's like combing out a locked braid. If you plan to keep your locks then keep interlocking but not too often cause it makes them bumpy. I think I'll try and do it about every 3months atleast or until my locks start misbehaving again. I wish I knew about this when I started my locks, I would have saved myself a couple of locks.

I'm trying to start 2 new locks (they aren't really new, they fell off after bad maintenance) using braiding and interlocking, I'll tell you how that goes, hope it works.

In other news,
I'm still waiting to see if the tips I sewed onto my locks have joined to the lock, it doesn't look too hopeful though but I'll keep you updated.
I solved the issue with my email address, you guys can continue emailing. I even found out the email add of the person who hacked the account, apparently they're based in South Africa, I'm definitely disappointed in the person's actions.

Short locks

Hallo People,

Here is a picture from one of the readers who has recently started locking. It's a beautiful picture to show all the My Dreadlocks readers it is possible to start locking even with very short hair. Another thing is how neatly the locks were done, very organized, well spaced and very professional. What matters most when starting your locks is not the length of your hair but the person who does them.

What's Good hair?

Hallo People,
I'm back summer is over and so is my holiday. I got a lot in store for all of you. Lot's of new stuff and new ideas I learnt during my holiday, even an interview with one of the best locticians I know. Thanx a lot to all those who have remained tuned to My Dreadlocks, I will definitely not disappoint. Feel free to email questions, topics you want discussed, criticism (always welcome), encouragement and anything else you may think I need to know or want featured on the my dreadlocks website. If you have a great My Dreadlock story please do share with us, you may also share pics of your journey, Lisa I hope you will share yours. Enjoy the Autumn/Fall season, my side of the earth is already cold and feels more like winter while others are having extended Summer and others predicting El Nino, I hope you will all take care, remain safe and continue enjoying the My Dreadlocks blog.

Many of you may have already watched this episode on Tyra but I would like to share these videos with African women all over the world. Hope they get you thinking on a lot of things and lead you to make better decisions in the future. Better decisions don't necessarily mean going natural but this being a problem that mainly affects women, I bet your intuition will tell you if the decision is better or not.

What to think about before Locking

1- You have to be prepared for negative "reactions" from family, friends and even colleagues. Growing dreadlocks is mentally, physically, and spiritually challenging. It would help if you spoke to your family and friends before you grow your locks so as to understand their feelings toward the matter and even their reason for having such an opinion. This will help especially when the whole world seems to have turned against you. You could have a talk with the Human Resource Manager at your work place to get an idea about the company's policy concerning locks. Be prepared for rejection. There are companies that will not employ you or will fire employees with locks. I remember a friend who had to wear wigs during interviews and the first days at a new work place and after a while reveal her locks. In some countries Locks is not a good enough reason to get fired, but it is not to be hired in the first place.
2- Locks need lots of attention especially in the early stages. Locks are not an instant hairstyle, they require lots of TLC, and you can't just wake up one day and undo them like braids. Locks will test your last nerve when it comes to patience.
Locks like any hairstyle require maintenance. All those that say that locks look good even when dirty lied.
3- Considering Locks require lots of maintenance, I guess you should consider whether you will have enough time to take care of them or if you will require the services of a Loctician (a person specialized in locks). Locticians are quite expensive though depending on where you are. Some areas almost don't have any.
Success in your decision making and preparation for Locking

Dreadlock Myths busted

1. Only Black People can have dreadlocks. Anyone can have dreadlocks, though it is easier to with some hair textures than with others. IT's very possible to lock caucasian hair
2. Dreadlocks represent rebellion or drastic opinions. I guess India Arie is the one who said "I'm not my hair". Some people have dreadlocks because they love the hairstyle, others as a tradition due to where they come from while others are just experimenting.
3. Dreadlocks should be left dirty and should never be washed. Locks like any other hairstyle needs to be well maintained and part of that maintainance includes washing. Locks are on your scalp and involve your hair, meaning, the sweat on your scalp accumulates in the hair together with all the dirt from the environement leading to the locks stinking and looking really horrible.
4. Dreadlocks drain out your body weight. There is no direct connection between body weight and length of hair. Ofcourse when you are healthy you have healthier hair but it doesn't mean you will never grow fat because you have dreadlocks.
5. Locks are for Rastas only. Locks are like any other hairstyle and considering it's a free world, anyone can have them.
6.Mayonnaise, Honey, Toothpaste, Glue, Rubber Cement, Mud, Chewing Gum, Peanut Butter, Shea Butter,and Candle Wax all work great for starting dreadlocks. This is just plain wrong. What will your hair smell like with all these stuff in it? Please do not try this at home. Have mercy on your beautiful hair
7.Locks damage your scalp. Quite on the contrary. Locks are very natural, you just wash and twist, meaning you never damage your scalp with relaxers, or pulling hence relaxing you scalp. Just give your head a massage once in a while and you will be surprised at how relaxing it is compared to perming and braiding
8. You have to cut your hair to get rid of locks. Today with the amount of products in the market, you can undo the locks anytime and maintain the wonderful length attained during the locking stage, just soak the locks in V05 conditioner and comb them out.